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A series of US airstrikes have claimed the lives of more than 80 people and severely injured several others in different regions of war-ravaged Afghanistan over the past 24 hours, local security sources say. According to Afghan security officials, one of the airstrikes took place yesterday in the central-eastern Logar Province where ten people were killed. The other rocked the northeastern province of Kunar, killing six people, all Pakistani nationals.
Local and US military officials have confirmed both attacks, saying all victims were Taliban militants.
Also on Monday, at least 65 people lost their lives in a series of US airstrikes in Paktia Province. US military confirmed separate air raids in three villages, saying those killed were militants.
The Taliban militants have not yet commented on the attacks.
The raids are a source of friction between Kabul and Washington as they often result in civilian deaths. The Afghan government has on numerous occasions warned Washington to stop attacks on innocent civilians.
This comes while Washington claims that its airstrikes target militants.
The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity remains high in the country.
Meanwhile, a Yemeni military official says a suspected US drone strike has killed three alleged al-Qaeda militants in one of the group’s strongholds in the south of the country.
The official said the attack took place early yesterday in the town of Saeed in Shabwa province and targeted a car carrying the suspected militants. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, gave no further details.
But tribal leaders told The Associated Press by telephone from Shabwa that one of the militants is a known Saudi member of al-Qaeda’s branch in Yemen. They spoke anonymously because they don’t want to be involved.
Washington considers al-Qaeda’s Yemeni branch one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist groups.
Another suspected drone strike killed six alleged militants on Saturday. — Presstv/AP.
Online Reporter